When the Inspiration Dries Up: Writing Quotes

Sometimes as writers we need fresh inspiration. Sitting down to the keyboard one more time seems like so much drudgery. So we stare at the ceiling. We kick cabinets. We yell that we need something to happen.

On the days like that, here are a few writing quotes that might just inspire you in  your search for fresh wells of creativity.

Cooking is like painting or writing a song. Just as there are only so many notes or colors, there are only so many flavors - it's how you combine them that sets you apart.

Wolfgang Puck

Writing means sharing. It's part of the human condition to want to share things - thoughts, ideas, opinions.

Paulo Coelho

I read and walked for miles at night along the beach, writing bad blank verse and searching endlessly for someone wonderful who would step out of the darkness and change my life. It never crossed my mind that that person could be me.

Anna Quindlen

Learn as much by writing as by reading.

Lord Acton

I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers done.

Steven Wright

What are you favorite writing quotes? I'd love to read them!

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Cara Putman

An award-winning author of twenty books, Cara is a lecturer on business and employment law to graduate students at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. Putman also practices law and is a second-generation homeschooling mom. She lives with her husband and four children in Indiana.

No Compromise...Drawing Lines in Your Fiction

Change is always abuzz in the Christian book industry. Lately, we've heard of the closing of Abingdon's fiction line. For great insight on that issue, see Steve Laube's blog post "Christian Fiction is Not Dead." 

It seems like another in a long line of merges and closures that have been shaking the industry up in new ways these past few years.

News items such as the legalization of same-sex marriage and the continued allegations against those in the church for adultery and even financial scandal can leave the Christian bewildered and discouraged.

In the last few months Lifeway Christian stores have made some decisions that have led to mixed public opinion. Buyer Rachel McRae says in a recent blog post, they must guard their bookshelves. What is seen in the Christian bookstore should be separate from what is seen in a secular retailer. (Check out "What's Really Going on in Christian Fiction?").

I recognize not all readers may agree with me, but I personally applaud Lifeway for what they have done, they are drawing a line in the sand. Even Christian fiction is beginning to become an anything goes culture where black and white have become gray.

Whatever your line in the sand is, you need to have one. You need to prepare it before you are published, the moment you start writing. Because compromise builds. Its a slow fade as a popular Christian song implies.

As writers we need to be SET APART, because that is what we are called to be as believers.

What does that mean for you?

One well-known nonfiction author halted his contract with a major Christian publisher and has no regrets. What are you willing to give up to live your convictions? We must be able to give it ALL up!

But it could be smaller, often the largest temptations to compromise can be little ones that build.

What are you willing to change in your story? Where is your line in the sand? What stand will you take in your career?

Will you publish with a company that also creates (pornography, erotica, etc)? Maybe you ARE called to the secular market. All the same you will need to create an individual line that says I won't go any further. I won't add this word or scene that's not pleasing to God.

In a world where moral relativity and "anything goes" mentality run rampant, you must prayerfully consider where you will stand.

Peter knew who he served:  But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men." -Acts 5:29, ESV

Spirit-filled Peter knew who he believed and the power of who he believed in and was willing to go as far as to die a martyr's death to obey God in the face of vast opposition.

Many Israelite babies were saved because of the faithful midwives who obeyed God rather than the ruling powers: But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live.-Exodus 1:17

Who will we follow in our writing careers, what's right in God's eyes or man's eyes?

Then they answered and spoke before the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day."-Daniel 6:13

I did an extensive study on Daniel this year and he's definitely a favorite of mine. I am inspired by his faithfulness. He continued to pray and worship God daily in spite of the pagan customs of the world around him and was even willing to risk death. He faces many fiery trials but keeps himself cleansed and spotless from the world with God's help.

With God's Spirit and His word we can remain faithful in a fallen world. We can help our brothers and sisters stand strong by supporting their writing decisions as they follow His spirit and by praying that we all remain unhindered in our witness for Christ.

Julia is a writer and reviewer for Library Journal magazine and a blogger for Wonderfully Woven. She is also a member and volunteer for ACFW. Central Virginia is home to Julia, her husband Chris, two children and three crazy cats.

3 Questions for a Teachable Writer

on freedigitalphotos.net by stockimages

Are you a teachable writer?

Something I have learned on this road to publication, is there are more opportunities to learn than to prove your stuff is untouchable.

  My first reaction to criticism used to be...(see photo;)).

But now? 

I feel the sting, drop my shoulders in defeat, and then take a few deep breaths.

My reaction has become...

on freedigitalphotos.net by stockimages

Hmmm...I need to listen, think, and maybe apply. 

Three questions I ask myself:

1. Does this advice compromise my voice? 

If I have established my style, then I need to apply advice as best as I can with out forfeiting my voice. I must weave the advice with my voice in mind to take my writing to the next level in my own unique way.

2. Does this advice compromise my craft? 

Most contest judges and critiquers are still learning (um, do we ever stop learning??). So I must be able to discern what is good advice on craft and what is sub-par. (This means that I need to be well-read on craft). When a critique pushes me to better my craft, then I should try and apply it.

3. Does this advice compromise my purpose for writing this story? 

Sometimes, a crit just misses the mark on what the whole vision and purpose of the story, BUT, if I've laid it out clearly, then they shouldn't miss it. If the advice does dismiss my story's purpose...then maybe there's something that needs to be changed on my end to clear it up.  If the advice seems to line up with my purpose and offers a way to make that purpose clearly-defined or stronger...then, it's time to apply!

After receiving feedback, I remind myself that this whole process is about getting my purposeful story out to the potential hearts that are meant to read it. Without compromising my voice, my craft, or my purpose, criticism is welcome to make my story shine bright and clear.

Have you had good advice? Bad advice? What have you been willing to compromise to make your story better?
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Angie Dicken is a full-time mom and lives in the Midwest with her Texas Aggie sweetheart. An ACFW member since 2010, she has written five Historical Romance novels, has a Historical underway, and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency. Angie also spends her time designing one-sheets and drinking good coffee with great friends. Check out her author page at www.facebook.com/dicken.angie, her personal blog at angiedicken.blogspot.com and connect at:

Twitter: @angiedicken
Pinterest: pinterest.com/agdicken

Writing your Soul Out

When I saw this, I had to post it. There are so many times when I look back at my manuscripts and see my soul painted on the pages. Have you experienced the same? 

Have a great Sunday! --Angie

Seen on 'The Writer's Circle"

You're A Writer

You’re a writer.

It’s in your DNA.

How you answer every professional occupation question. Maybe something like: “I’m a receptionist, mom, nurse, librarian…but I moonlight as a writer.”

Calling ourselves a “writer” is never far from our vocabulary and we usually wear the title with pride. 

Unless you’re experiencing a day when you want to kick this expensive, but oh-so-therapeutic (depending on the day) habit to the curb.

You can’t stop being a writer anymore than you can stop breathing.

Even when you put your writing aside, you see the world differently—through the eyes of someone who knows story inside and out.

But the truth is, being a writer isn’t for everyone.

It’s hard work.

Tough, blood-letting, tear-inducing, hard work. You’ll suffer sleep deprivation, friends misunderstanding your devotion, and struggles with fake people that insist on arguing back.

But I don’t need to tell you know this. Because there is 100% of a chance that if you’re reading this, you already know what I’m talking about.

So why do you write? Why do you put words on lined paper or a blank screen? Why do you invest in writer’s conferences, how-to books, and editorial work?

We all know it won’t pencil out financially in the end.

We don’t just do it because we’re in love with words. If that were the only case, we’d just stay home in our PJ’s and write in our evenings and weekends.

We do it because we’re following in our Savior’s footsteps. The greatest Man who has ever walked this earth and ever will walk this earth told story to communicate His point. He wove his words together to use story to reach the lost, the hurting, the broken, the thick-in-the-head (and let’s be honest, that’s all of us.)

When we tell a story, no matter how good or bad it is, we’re stepping closer to our Savior in a different way. That’s not to say we’re more special, important or spiritual than anyone else. (Heavens, no! Someone slap me if I ever go that far.)

But we have an opportunity to reach the lost, the hurting, the broken, the poor in spirit with the words of a story like our Savior did.

So partner with Him in that story-weaving process. Partner with Him to tell those around you why these words are so important to you.

And remember that truth on the days when the words are tight. The flow is blocked and the joy is gone.

Then go read one of Jesus’ parables and remind yourself why you call yourself a storyteller. 

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Casey Herringshaw is a homeschool graduate and has been writing since high school. She is a country girl now living in a metropolis of Denver, Colorado, employed as an administrative assistant at Wordserve Literary.

Why You Shouldn't Be A Writer

We can all spout out the reasons we write. Using our talents for God. Because we have an insane love of story. Because you can't NOT write. The list is, I'm sure, endless.

But this writing life isn't always pretty, so I thought it'd be fun to name some reasons NOT to be a writer. 

The money is crap. A very large majority of authors are nodding emphatically. Now, what we WON'T tell you is that we still have little dream that we've stuffed away in a secret place that we don't mention to most people.... that dream of a Castle-like paycheck. But yeah.

A lot of people will tell you that your talent is crap. Critique groups, contests, agents, editors and then finally, readers. And getting it from readers is the worst. That 1 star review from a person who hates your book and doesn't understand how it ever got published... it isn't for the faint of heart.

Sleep is never guaranteed. Characters tend to talk at many different times, sometimes super early in the morning and for others, until wee hours of the morning. If losing sleep is an issue, writing might not be for you!

The impatient need not apply. A career as a writer has a LOT of "wait" time built in. Waiting for emails from agents and editors, waiting for that contract, many times for years and years. Even an indie author has some essense of waiting-- waiting for edits, waiting for a book to appear online, waiting on cover art, waiting for sales to gain traction. If you like things NOW and aren't willing to bend on that... you might want to pick a different job! (or get ready to learn some patience!!)



A sign of someone who SHOULD be a writer is one who reads a list like this and instead of getting discouraged, smiles at the challenge to overcome. Who says, "I know all that" and continues on the journey anyway.

Early on in my writing journey, all of these truths were glaring and the forewarning from other writers was loud and clear.

But I'm so thankful for those warnings. Because they made me work that much harder, because a sure fire way to get me to do something is to tell me I can't.

Do you have any "reasons not to be a writer" to add to my list? Do you get discouraged when you think about the reality?

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Krista is a follower of Jesus, a wife, a mother, and author of Sandwich, With a Side of Romance, A Side of Faith and A Side of Hope. She blogs about finding JOY in the journey of LIFE at http://www.kristaphillips.com. She is represented by Sarah Freese of Wordserve Literary.

The Terrifying Benefits of Public Speaking for Writers

Public speaking is one of the best marketing tools available to writers. 

However...

Public speaking seems downright scary. 

There are a token few authors/writers who can stand in front of an audience and wax eloquently about a given topic while engaging listeners for say thirty minutes without sweating. The rest of us prefer to hide in our caves or hover in introvert cliques.

BUT, public speaking still is one of the best marketing tools available to writers. Way better than posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., which entice readers for a only a brief moment. 

Speaking to an audience:

1. Offers a setting where the listener can be fully engaged in your message.

2. Provides an avenue for people to meet you personally.

3. Give listeners a chance to ask you questions and hear your immediate feedback. 

4. Helps listeners understand you are interested in them by use of eye contact, hand shakes, responding to their greetings and comments, and willingness to speak face to face.

5. You can sell your books afterwards or for those of us who are not published yet, we can have a flyer about our current WIP to hand out.


So how can we convince ourselves to peel off the scary and take advantage of these benefits? The key is total preparation and a bucketload of gumption. 

1. Choose three topics you could talk about. The material does not need to be about writing. What do you really like to do? 

*Is there a craft you enjoy? (scrapbooking, quilting, cooking, woodworking, gardening, etc.)
*What is the theme in your current WIP? (homeless, marriage, dating, abortion, traveling, genealogies, etc)
*What is something you would like to learn? (more about the writing craft, how to play an instrument, how to set up a neighborhood Bible study, how to host a book club, how to ski, how to hike safely, how to plan menus for special diets, time management, etc)

2. Write an outline of the main points you would like to share. Research, making sure to have a list of resources for the curious listeners. Write the exact words of your presentation, bolding key points (Did you know our pastors have their sermon printed out word for word? Of course they deviate when needed, but it is there for them if needed). 

3. Read the script you just wrote out loud and time it. Does the script need to be longer? Shorter?

4. Practice in front of family members. Did you feel nervous? Good. Was your talk longer or shorter as a result? This is great information. Adjust the script to fit the thirty minute time.

5. Make a list of places you could present any of your three scripts. Some presentations are best for specific audiences, (for example a library, an elementary school, junior high, high school or college, ladies Bible study, church gathering, community gathering, girl/boy scouts, 4H, craft clubs, etc.) 

Be open minded. With a little tweaking, the same presentation could be given to a ladies group or an elementary school group. Prepare the tweaked version ahead of time. You never know when someone might invite you to speak.

6. Design a simple advertisement. This can be a post card, flyer, etc. Include basic information about you as a writer. List all your available topics to present along with a brief summary for each. Include contact information. Send to the organizations. Post them in libraries, coffee shops, and other community bulletin boards.

Recommendation-do not charge until you have some experience. The purpose of these opportunities is to get your presence (not just name) out there.

7. Take every opportunity offered. Even if you think five-year olds won't listen to a presentation about quilting, or a teen group won't listen to a talk about writing, or a senior group won't be interested in dating, you might be really surprised. AND each listener has friends and family who could be interested in your next published book!

The last piece of advice: kick yourself out the door and go. Stand strong. Ask God to calm your jitters. Your listeners will not bring apples or shotguns. ;)

When you try - amazing things happen. I know! I spoke at the Great Lakes ACFW group meeting, June 2014. They gave me an honorarium and paid for my lunch. What meant more to me, though, was the tremendous feedback and the successful opportunity to get my presence out there. 

"After fifteen years of writing and knocking on publishing house doors finally relying on self-publication to get my work out there, I found Mary’s insights about pre-publication work not only valuable but essential knowledge that I lacked.  Her interactive presentation was not condescending, which produced incentives for further goal setting and hope for the future."

And guess what--you can do it, too!

I know there is so much more to say on this topic - like handouts, etc, maybe another time.

What concerns do you have about becoming a speaker?

I can't wait to read your comment!

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If you found any typos in today's post...sorry about that. 

Mary has moved to Michigan with her husband, closer to her three college kids. She misses the mountains of Montana, but loves seeing family more often. She writes young adult mystery/adventure Christian fiction, is honing marketing and writing skills, and loves to pen missionary and Bible adventure stories on her ministry blog, God Loves Kids.

Visit Mary at her website and her ministry blog to families: God Loves Kids. Or chat on Facebook or Twitter